Clue
A Clue
noun
It was a hand which hangs the things we're looking for: a clue! Clues really are usually put down by people quite often. Or, perhaps, think of a hand hanging on something as your clue.
The reading is 手 plus 掛かる put together. Just watch out for that rendaku.
手掛かりはまだ見つからないのですか。
Still can't find any clues?
今は全力で、問題解決の糸口となるような手掛かりを探しています。
We are currently searching wholeheartedly for clues that will lead us to a solution.
警察は消えたベーコンの謎について何か手掛かりを見つけましたか？
Have the police found any clues regarding the mystery of the vanishing bacon?
藤川さんの発言が、犯人のトリックを見抜く手掛かりになりました。
Mr. Fujikawa's statement provided a clue to the culprit's trickery.